The former Los Angelese Times music critic was given complete editorial control over the singer-songwriter's biography.

For over 50 years, Paul Simon has shared his amazing talents with us: first, as a part of Simon & Garfunkel, one of the most important musical duos, and later as a solo artist. Few musicians have had as a critically-acclaimed and beloved career as Simon. He's won 16 Grammys, three of those for album of the year. Bridge Over Troubled Water sold an estimated 25 million copies worldwide. Graceland sold an estimated 14 million. He's been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice. And on September 22, he'll play his final show ever at the last of his Homeward Bound shows at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, not too far from his childhood home in Queens, N.Y.